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Maldives delivers 21 formal statements at 40th Human Rights Session

Ahmed Aiham
24 March 2019, MVT 16:28
Addressing the High Level Segment of the Fortieth Session of the Human Rights Council Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. PHOTO: FOREIGN MINISTRY
Ahmed Aiham
24 March 2019, MVT 16:28

The Maldivian Delegation actively contributed to the 40th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) , which began on February 25 with the 'High-Level Segment' and concluded on March 22, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The delegation was led by Minister of Foriegn Affairs Abdulla Shahid, and delivered 21 formal statements and participated in the negotiation of the 29 resolutions adopted during the session.

Additionally, Maldives delivered 2 Joint Statements at this session; a statement on behalf of the newly formed 14-Member Human Rights Council Membership Contact Group aimed at increasing membership of the Small States at the Council, and a statement on behalf of the Group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Geneva highlighting the role of SIDS at the multilateral engagements.

The nation is member of these two groups.

Maldives delivered statements on an array of thematic discussions covered in the Programme of Work of the Council, with other statements including the Human Rights Situation in Syria, Palestine and other occupied territories, Situation of Myanmar as well as statements on violence against children, disabilities, adequate housing and environment and technical assistance and capacity building.

The United Kingdom (UK) welcomed the Maldives’ constructive re-engagement with the international community and the recent steps it had taken to strengthen democracy, governance and rule of law.

Additionally, the UK encouraged the government to seek support from OHCHR and UN human rights mechanisms to build a democratic, tolerant society.

In line with its key priorities at the Human Rights Council, Maldives co-sponsored a number of resolutions, including those on Rights of the Child, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, Human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the Human Rights Situation in Myanmar.

Moreover, the country co-sponsored the following resolutions which it had not co-sponsored during the previous sessions:

- Resolution on recognising the contribution of environmental human rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

- Resolution on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Resolution on Rights of the Child.

Maldives also co-hosted a reception with the Permanent Mission of Netherlands, Permanent Mission of United Kingdom and Universal Rights Group to celebrate the beneficiaries of the SIDS/LDC Trust Fund attending the HRC.

The Council has confirmed the appointment of four Mandate Holders during the session.

Maldives was represented by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Dr Hala Hameed, Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Hawla Ahmed Didi, First Secretary at the Embassy of Maldives in London Shahiya Ali Manik, and First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Aishath Shahula.

HRC held the High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council (HRC), from February 25 – 27, with the regular sessions resuming on February 28.

The HRC consists of 47 State Members of the United Nations, and are elected for terms of three years.

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